Solar plane takes off for first international flight

Swiss scientist-adventurer Bertrand Piccard (R) shakes hands with pilot Andre Borschberg prior to Swiss record-setting solar powered aircraft Solar Impulse take off from Payerne airbase on May 13, 2011 to make its first international flight. Solar Impulse is due to land at Brussels airport on today. -- PHOTO: AFP GENEVA - A TEAM of Swiss adventurers took their solar-powered plane on its first international flight Friday, a 370-mile (600km) leap from a small airfield in Switzerland to Brussels airport in Belgium. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA single-seater prototype took off from Payerne airfield in Switzerland at 8.40am (2.40pm Singapore time) after a three-hour delay due to strong winds. It is expected to reach Brussels by nightfall. The plane with the wingspan of a Boeing 777 made its 2009 maiden flight in Switzerland and further tests have all taken place there. Last year it...